Scary car problem, waiting for the garage to call tomorrow.... Could be EXPENSIVE!

Lucy1982_2 · 13 January 2008 at 8:20PM

I'm just so scared I needed to share

My car :mad: :eek:

Drove home through some flooding on Friday night and my car was fine. Started on Saturday morning and it made a funny noise (luckily OH was with me) switched it off and we couldn't get it started again. Called RAC (I'm thankful at the moment I pay them so much as they can to my home) and my cam belt has gone :eek: Well the thingy that does the cam belt tension has gone and the belt is all floppy. Called my garage and the nice RAC man towed me there for free and they are going to look at it tomorrow. But we are going to get them to call me before they do any work. Mum and I think we can get hold of about £600, but if it cost more than that I really don't know what I am going to do

I managed to get a courtsey car from them so can get to work easily tomorrow, but I am really worried about it.

Thanks xx

custardy · 13 January 2008 at 8:24PM

what car/engine is it?

Lucy1982_2 · 13 January 2008 at 8:28PM

Ford Fesita 1.25 Zectec engine.

I'm hoping I'll get lucky

lunar · 13 January 2008 at 8:32PM

i dont know anything about cars, i really hope its ok tomorrow. sending you hugs and lots of good luck

neverdespairgirl · 13 January 2008 at 8:47PM

Very best of luck, hope it's not too pricey.

Lucy1982_2 · 13 January 2008 at 8:49PM

Theres not a lot I can do about it, but I hate it. I hate being in debt as it makes things so much harder!!!

wydsiwyrg · 13 January 2008 at 8:51PM

Hi Lucy,
How new is the car? Maybe now would be a good time to sell up, get as much as you can for it - and go for a cheaper car. We got an M reg Fiesta with 26000 miles (MOT verified) for 465 pounds, and we've put 30000 miles on it in the last year with minimal problems (couple of new tyres, and normal service bits, oil etc.)

Tim

Lucy1982_2 · 13 January 2008 at 8:55PM

It's a T reg with 72,000 on the clock. (probably worth about £2,000)

I would still need to get it fixed and I can't really afford to get another one. I've had it 3 years and this is the first major thing to go wrong.

The guy at the garage and OH's mate (former mechanic) seem to think that as I wasn't moving at the time I should be lucky. I just hope so.

lunar · 13 January 2008 at 8:55PM

It just reminds me that we are prob all on a really fine balance when trying to pay off these debts. there really isnt any room for slack when something comes up. if i had to make a big payout for something in an emergency it would end up going on credit as i dont have any other way right now.

wydsiwyrg · 13 January 2008 at 8:58PM

Lucy.. you're probably looking at more like £1500 with those sort of miles (check Parkers.. they give you good car valuations);

If they do want you to do a cam belt change, you'll probably be able to sell it to a dealership for around £500; that should give you plenty of money to buy a slightly older similar class car. As I said - ours was £465 with 26000 miles. I've just been on autotrader and they have similar fiesta's starting around the £400 mark; and usually pretty low mileage. Also the older fiesta engines (pre-Zetec) have a cam chain not belt, so no need to change!

HTH,
Tim

Jorgan_2 · 13 January 2008 at 8:59PM

Cambelts or the tensioners failing aren't good news I'm afraid. I won't tell you what mine cost to repair when the belt snapped. Good luck with getting it sorted.

Scary car problem, waiting for the garage to call tomorrow.... Could be EXPENSIVE!

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